Analyse Asia

Just released! Our host Bernard Leong have a conversation with Lionel Barber, former editor of the Financial Times and author of "Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son." Watch the full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/g-2-kxtZ Lionel unpacks the enigmatic figure behind SoftBank who has been at the center of tech investing for over four decades. Here are some fascinating insights: 1/ Masa's resilience is remarkable - he once lost 97% of his wealth in the dot-com crash but bounced back stronger. 2/ His outsider mentality due to Korean-Japanese heritage made him an outsider in Japan's stratified society, fueling his relentless drive to succeed 3/ Building an empire: Before becoming a tech investing titan, he started as a software distributor in Japan, and pivoting it to a telco that rivals the largest telecom providers in Japan and not to mention Yahoo! Japan. 4/ Unconventional approach to Investing: The $100B Vision Fund completely disrupted venture capital norms, forcing major VCs to bulk up their funds to compete. 5/ Beyond the caricatures, Masa is a strategic thinker who's ridden every tech wave from microchips to mobile to #AI What struck our host the most was Lionel's description of Masa as "Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill" - eternally optimistic yet never satisfied. There's something slightly tragic about a man who can pivot from being the world's richest person for three days to losing almost everything, then rebuilding an empire. The book took Lionel five trips to Japan and countless hours with people who've worked closely with this secretive figure. It reveals the complex reality behind the "Yoda" caricature many in the West have of Masa. As Masa makes his latest $500B bet on AI with Sam Altman's OpenAI and Larry Ellison, we can't help but wonder: will this be his greatest legacy or his greatest folly? #MasayoshiSon #GreatLeaders #Softbank #GamblingManBook

Our latest newsletter features the interview with Lionel Barber, former Editor of the Financial Times and author of the new book: "Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son". We distilled the key lessons behind the founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, Masayoshi Son. You can read the full transcript here for the whole conversation between Lionel Barber and our host Bernard Leong.

We are taking a short break for the week while preparing for more episodes in early March 2025. So watch this space!

The one thing Gullnaz Baig from Angsana Council knows about #ASEAN that very few do "Bernard Leong: What’s one thing about Southeast Asia that very few people know? Gullnaz Baig: Having worked in various big tech companies and witnessed firsthand how different regions respond to technology, one surprising fact is that Southeast Asia is among the most receptive regions to new tech. Whenever we rolled out a new feature or product, we tracked where early adoption was strongest—and the Philippines and Indonesia consistently ranked among the highest. Even in industries like crypto, people don’t realize that Sarawak has a huge mining community. Yet, the global perception of Southeast Asia is outdated. I once had a Vietnamese intern at Oxford who told me people still assumed she was “hiding in the mountains” and that the Vietnam War was still ongoing! The reality? Southeast Asia is a dynamic, tech-savvy region—quick to adopt new technologies, but also just as creative in finding ways to push the limits of technology, both positively and negatively. This openness to innovation sets Southeast Asia apart. In contrast, many other markets are more hesitant to experiment with new technology. This agility and adaptability make the region one of the most exciting places for tech innovation today." Main Site: https://lnkd.in/gbus-YG9 Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gWnu9G4M Newsletter Signup: https://lnkd.in/gWedr5RK LinkedIn Page: https://lnkd.in/dH-rpqXf #southeastasia #asianeconomy #startupecosystem

Don't under estimate the role of diaspora communities in ASEAN - Gullnaz Baig from Angsana Council "Many startups look at macroeconomic indicators and recognize that Singapore has the highest ease of doing business. That’s why most of them register their companies there—for legal protections, recognized licenses, and a strong business infrastructure that safeguards their rights and operations. However, when it comes to building a startup, I’d consider other locations. Take Vietnam, for example—home to world-class development teams driven by a strong STEM community. But beyond that, Southeast Asia has an often underestimated asset: its diaspora communities. These global connections create unique opportunities, enabling startup founders to navigate cross-cultural nuances and different markets with ease. Many entrepreneurs successfully leverage their diaspora networks—bridging Southeast Asia with global markets. At the same time, we’re seeing an influx of talent and investment into the region, fueled by these international ties. That’s why it doesn’t make sense to build a startup in just one country in Southeast Asia. The region thrives on interconnectedness, and the best businesses know how to take advantage of it." Main Site: https://lnkd.in/gbus-YG9 Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gWnu9G4M Newsletter Signup: https://lnkd.in/gWedr5RK LinkedIn Page: https://lnkd.in/dH-rpqXf #southeastasia #asianeconomy #diaspora #asianeconomy

Why Southeast Asia Should Work With #China, Not Against It 🇨🇳🌏 - Gullnaz Baig " We as a region, we're highly dependent on external trade more so than some other regions, right?  ... Can you compliment what China has an advantage in or is doing. And he uses this great example in green technology because we know there's Chinese overcapacity right now in a lot of green tech, particularly say, for example, solar panels, right? So you're not going to say, I'm going to compete by building a solar panel plant in Vietnam or in Philippines, et cetera, but I'm going to think about how do I use this overcapacity that's available in China to buy cheap. And install in, say, for example, a factory or install a solar panel farm in the Philippines in the data centers that we're building out of various countries in Thailand and in Malaysia. How can we use that? How can we lean into that and build that? How can we use also Chinese capital to say: hey, We've got this infrastructure project. Do you want to come and invest in that?" Main Site: https://lnkd.in/gbus-YG9 Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gWnu9G4M Newsletter Signup: https://lnkd.in/gWedr5RK LinkedIn Page: https://lnkd.in/dH-rpqXf #southeastasia #china #beltandroad #angsanacouncil

Building a Startup in Southeast Asia? Ask These Two Questions First - Gullnaz Baig "Some argue that Southeast Asia is an illusion—a mirage that doesn’t truly work. They believe that emerging startups should remain within their respective economies. Instead of chasing unicorns, they suggest building centaurs—companies valued at over $100 million—as a more realistic goal. In my opinion, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, but it also depends on what kind of startup you are and what problem you’re solving. If I were to start a company tomorrow, I would ask myself two critical questions: 1️⃣ Where do I build? 2️⃣ Where do I sell? Limiting a startup to a single-country play is a mistake. Southeast Asia isn’t just a region—it’s a microcosm of the world. It consists of diverse economies, populations, and communities, making it a unique and dynamic market to tap into. The best startups in the region are already leveraging these differences to their advantage." Main Site: https://lnkd.in/gbus-YG9 Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gWnu9G4M Newsletter Signup: https://lnkd.in/gWedr5RK LinkedIn Page: https://lnkd.in/dH-rpqXf #startupadvice #southeastasia #asean

Why Copy-Pasting Economic Models in Southeast Asia Doesn’t Work - Gullnaz Baig "People often ask us, especially policymakers, 'What should I learn from Malaysia?' or similar questions about other countries. The key lesson isn’t to replicate what worked elsewhere but to understand the principles behind their success. For Vietnam, it’s about identifying comparative advantages—something every country needs to determine for itself. In Vietnam’s case, these advantages include proximity to China and the ability to navigate geopolitics between the U.S. and China. Given Vietnam’s history with both, major powers tend to avoid pressuring it to take sides, making it a master of strategic balancing. Additionally, Vietnam has strong infrastructure development. While it may not build as quickly as China, it still operates at an impressive pace, efficiently setting up and servicing manufacturing plants. These factors are what Vietnam excels at—and they lean into them. Should the Philippines or any other country copy Vietnam exactly? No, not necessarily. Instead, they must identify their own unique strengths and build upon them. That’s the key takeaway from our report—don’t just copy and paste what worked in the past. Context changes, and success depends on adapting to the present while leveraging what makes your country competitive." Main Site: https://lnkd.in/gbus-YG9 Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gWnu9G4M Newsletter Signup: https://lnkd.in/gWedr5RK LinkedIn Page: https://lnkd.in/dH-rpqXf #southeastasia #vietnam #philippines #asianeconomy

Why Your Network Shapes Your Future - Gullnaz Baig sharing the lessons from her career journey "You know the common saying, 'You are the sum of the five people you're closest to.' Think about that in your career as well—especially if you're a startup founder. I started my career believing that if I just did my job well, it would speak for itself. But over time, I realized that where I grew the most was when I had people backing me up—people who saw my potential even more than I saw it in myself. If there's one piece of advice I’d give to your listeners or anyone out there, it’s to find people who believe in you and can help you grow. I currently work with Charles Ormiston and Peng T. Ong, whom many of your listeners are familiar with. They challenge me in different ways—my one-on-one discussions with Peng often dive into deep philosophical discussions about technology and its real implications. His challenges push me to think differently, and that has helped me grow tremendously. So, remember: 'You are the sum of the five people you're closest to.' Apply this to your career, and especially if you're a startup founder. I know many startup founders listen to this podcast, and it can feel lonely sometimes. Find others who can be your sounding board, your listening ear—people who help you see things from different perspectives. The biggest growth in my career came when I had these people in my life." - Gullnaz Baig Main Site: https://lnkd.in/gbus-YG9 Full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gWnu9G4M Newsletter Signup: https://lnkd.in/gWedr5RK LinkedIn Page: https://lnkd.in/dH-rpqXf #careeradvice #lifelessons #growthmindset

Our latest episode features Sue-Lin Wong, Southeast Asia correspondent from The Economist and host of the Scam Inc podcast series unmasking the $500 billion underground industry and its global impact to societies. In this interview, we hear Sue-Lin describe the human costs behind these scams, the enterprise of Scam-Inc and how countries are now fighting back against this global phenomenon. "We're all vulnerable. And I hadn't thought about that previously. I thought, oh, it's only a small group of people who might fall for this. What I've learned is actually [that] these scammers are so sophisticated. They have so much money. Based on my reporting, this industry, you know, is maybe more lucrative than the illicit drug trade, uh, and these criminal syndicates might be making over 500 billion US dollars a year.  So that means they have access to the latest technology, whether it's voice cloning or face changing software. They can buy  the latest in AI tools. they can stay several steps ahead of most law enforcement organizations in most places in the world, and, you know, re-invest in their businesses, because that's how they view what they're doing. They just see this as a business line, and they want to make a profit. That's why we called the podcast Scam Inc, because I think the way to understand what we're seeing is that this is an industry and everyone's driven by profits. So the fact that the criminals have so much money makes it really difficult for governments, police or international organizations or banks or crypto exchanges or social media companies to tackle this huge and growing problem." - Sue-Lin Wong You can watch the full YouTube Video: https://lnkd.in/gCcQA9jk and read the full transcript here. Catch the full series of Scam-Inc here from The Economist (requires subscription): https://lnkd.in/gzThJH_V